Good thing is, if you have Raffl-Laughton as the basis for the 4th line, you can play them more than a Hall-Rinaldo line.
- Jsaquella

Raffl and Laughton would get to work. I can live with icing Rinaldo in that scenario on that line

Supposedly embiid is a 7'0" ibaka? Is this true?
- Just5

that would be his absolute floor if he never develops


bro his game is still raw but the defense is elite and the offensive potential is legit. the hakeem comparisons are not just bs. watch some video. his footwork is amazing and his athleticism is top notch. grew up playing soccer and volleyball and you can see both elements in his game.

Jeff Carter>Giroux
- Winning

ur such a troll

Omg. Carter. He outdid voracek and coots in the playoffs in one period
- Just5

I LU M

Omg. Carter. He outdid voracek and coots in the playoffs in one period
- Just5

The returns for Carter and Richards were fair, but since they were traded the Flyers have won 1 playoff series. It's fair to say the franchise has gone backwards since their departure.

The returns for Carter and Richards were fair, but since they were traded the Flyers have won 1 playoff series. It's fair to say the franchise has gone backwards since their departure.
- PLindbergh31

The Flyers would have a Stanley cup if they hadn't traded them.

The Flyers would have a Stanley cup if they hadn't traded them.
- Streit2ThePoint

I don't think you can say that. Combination of things set them back. Pronger's career ending being a huge factor.

Anyone read the article about Flyers #1 priority is to get Schenn signed? Glad to see that. Now have to move Vinny so schenn can play center. Wouldn't mind moving Hartnell either to get faster on the wings.

Anyone read the article about Flyers #1 priority is to get Schenn signed? Glad to see that. Now have to move Vinny so schenn can play center. Wouldn't mind moving Hartnell either to get faster on the wings.
- J35Bacher

My top 5 priorities for the Flyers this offseason would be:
1. Re-sign B Schenn to a reasonable bridge contract
2. Move Vinnie without having to eat salary, even if you have to just
give him away.
3. Pick the best forward available at #17 in the draft
4. Don't sign any high priced UFA's
5. Try to add some more speed to the lineup

My top 5 priorities for the Flyers this offseason would be:
1. Re-sign B Schenn to a reasonable bridge contract
2. Move Vinnie without having to eat salary, even if you have to just
give him away.
3. Pick the best forward available at #17 in the draft
4. Don't sign any high priced UFA's
5. Try to add some more speed to the lineup
- BiggE

Everything on this list can be accomplished fairly easily, with the exception of # 2.

The returns for Carter and Richards were fair, but since they were traded the Flyers have won 1 playoff series. It's fair to say the franchise has gone backwards since their departure.
- PLindbergh31

Actually, I don't know if that is fair to say.

The extrapolation has to be, "what if they were still here," not "what have they done since they left."

The last time the Flyers dressed a lineup with Richards and Carter in it, they took the fourth of four straight absolute beatings at the hands of the Boston Bruins in a series that wasn't close on any level whatsoever. Swept out of the playoffs in embarrassing fashion, with the goaltending in shambles.

With Richards and Carter gone, the very next season, the Flyers did win a playoff series, and lost one. The same as the year prior, with them. That's a wash, right?

I'd argue that if Pronger hadn't been hurt, they wouldn't have missed a beat.

My top 5 priorities for the Flyers this offseason would be:
1. Re-sign B Schenn to a reasonable bridge contract
2. Move Vinnie without having to eat salary, even if you have to just
give him away.
3. Pick the best forward available at #17 in the draft
4. Don't sign any high priced UFA's
5. Try to add some more speed to the lineup
- BiggE

I like this a lot.

(throw in a #6... move AMac's contract out, too, if possible)

Actually, I don't know if that is fair to say.

The extrapolation has to be, "what if they were still here," not "what have they done since they left."

The last time the Flyers dressed a lineup with Richards and Carter in it, they took the fourth of four straight absolute beatings at the hands of the Boston Bruins in a series that wasn't close on any level whatsoever. Swept out of the playoffs in embarrassing fashion, with the goaltending in shambles.

With Richards and Carter gone, the very next season, the Flyers did win a playoff series, and lost one. The same as the year prior, with them. That's a wash, right?

I'd argue that if Pronger hadn't been hurt, they wouldn't have missed a beat.
- AllInForFlyers

That's fair. It's not really black and white. There have been a bunch of other transactions made in addition to the Carter and Richards deal.

I know if someone said the day they were traded that the Flyers would win one playoff series the following three season, I think everyone would be disappointed.

I like this a lot.

(throw in a #6... move AMac's contract out, too, if possible)
- Tomahawk

Get rid of Vinny, and unload AMac? Does Hextall have a Holmgren pooper scooper?

Get rid of Vinny, and unload AMac? Does Hextall have a Holmgren pooper scooper?

- PLindbergh31

I was gonna throw Streit in there, too... but didn't want to seem greedy.

Actually, I don't know if that is fair to say.

The extrapolation has to be, "what if they were still here," not "what have they done since they left."

The last time the Flyers dressed a lineup with Richards and Carter in it, they took the fourth of four straight absolute beatings at the hands of the Boston Bruins in a series that wasn't close on any level whatsoever. Swept out of the playoffs in embarrassing fashion, with the goaltending in shambles.

With Richards and Carter gone, the very next season, the Flyers did win a playoff series, and lost one. The same as the year prior, with them. That's a wash, right?

I'd argue that if Pronger hadn't been hurt, they wouldn't have missed a beat.
- AllInForFlyers

Did you see this story on Richie @ PPP?

The numbers suggest his productive Flyers years might have been a mirage... I still think it has a lot to do w/ how LA plays, but still disturbing for Richie fans:


http://www.pensionplanpup...son-options-mike-richards

I was gonna throw Streit in there, too... but didn't want to seem greedy.
- Tomahawk

It's going to be an interesting summer.

I like this a lot.

(throw in a #6... move AMac's contract out, too, if possible)
- Tomahawk

Yeah, I have no problem moving AMac out, but only if you have a mobile replacement that is ready to go. I would rather see Grossmann be the one to go. With Luke Schenn and AMac in the lineup, his skill set is no longer needed.

I was gonna throw Streit in there, too... but didn't want to seem greedy.
- Tomahawk

I've got no problem keeping Streit for at least one more year as he will likely be the QB on the top PP unit.

That's fair. It's not really black and white. There have been a bunch of other transactions made in addition to the Carter and Richards deal.

I know if someone said the day they were traded that the Flyers would win one playoff series the following three season, I think everyone would be disappointed.
- PLindbergh31

Absolutely -- that is disappointing. Missing the playoffs, as they did last year, is never good. And this season's playoffs showed a few more weaknesses than anybody probably wanted to see.

But at the same time, if they're smart about how they approach this, there is a foundation. Maybe it could be argued that it should have one or two more pieces, but there is a foundation. If they're smart, and patient, and the young players put in the work and develop reasonably well, they're going to be right there in 2015-16, I feel.

Absolutely -- that is disappointing. Missing the playoffs, as they did last year, is never good. And this season's playoffs showed a few more weaknesses than anybody probably wanted to see.

But at the same time, if they're smart about how they approach this, there is a foundation. Maybe it could be argued that it should have one or two more pieces, but there is a foundation. If they're smart, and patient, and the young players put in the work and develop reasonably well, they're going to be right there in 2015-16, I feel.
- AllInForFlyers

If they are patient and build through the draft, they are absolutely moving in the right direction and I have no problem taking a step backwards next year if it allows them to contend soon after. Plus the 2015 draft, by all reports, is supposed to be incredibly talented and deep, so if you have to take a step back 14-15 is the year to do it.

Considering that both Ghost and Morin will likely only be in their first full seasons in 15-16, I don't see them being a cup contender then. However by 16-17 and for the next few years, they have a very good chance to be one of the best teams in the league if they stay patient and draft well.

Absolutely -- that is disappointing. Missing the playoffs, as they did last year, is never good. And this season's playoffs showed a few more weaknesses than anybody probably wanted to see.

But at the same time, if they're smart about how they approach this, there is a foundation. Maybe it could be argued that it should have one or two more pieces, but there is a foundation. If they're smart, and patient, and the young players put in the work and develop reasonably well, they're going to be right there in 2015-16, I feel.
- AllInForFlyers

Agreed. They certainly aren't void of talent. If Hextall can make some shrewd moves they can be contenders as soon as next season.

Did you see this story on Richie @ PPP?

The numbers suggest his productive Flyers years might have been a mirage... I still think it has a lot to do w/ how LA plays, but still disturbing for Richie fans:


http://www.pensionplanpup...son-options-mike-richards
- Tomahawk

Sadly, if you watched him every season like we did, for at least how I watch the game, I always wondered how he'd age, because of his skating.

Carter's one of those guys who's going to be able to play as long as his heart is in it. He's just a truly gifted skater. So this isn't some "I hate former Flyers" deal.

Richards' skating was always...labor-intensive. It was never fluid, never explosive. In my view, it's the biggest reason his decline is rapid. He's not going to be getting many easy points off the rush, off quick setups in the zone.

You can fake it when you're 23-24-25, because you are leaner, tend to be in the best physical condition you're going to be. There's a reason why those are determined to be the peak years.

I'd buy him out. I would. Not because he can't play. But because I truly feel that if he doesn't find a way to stop his decline, it is going to be absolutely brutal -- borderline catastrophic.

Sadly, if you watched him every season like we did, for at least how I watch the game, I always wondered how he'd age, because of his skating.

Carter's one of those guys who's going to be able to play as long as his heart is in it. He's just a truly gifted skater. So this isn't some "I hate former Flyers" deal.

Richards' skating was always...labor-intensive. It was never fluid, never explosive. In my view, it's the biggest reason his decline is rapid. He's not going to be getting many easy points off the rush, off quick setups in the zone.

You can fake it when you're 23-24-25, because you are leaner, tend to be in the best physical condition you're going to be. There's a reason why those are determined to be the peak years.

I'd buy him out. I would. Not because he can't play. But because I truly feel that if he doesn't find a way to stop his decline, it is going to be absolutely brutal -- borderline catastrophic.
- AllInForFlyers

Yeah, a cap hit north of 5 million for a guy who, at least in LA, is going to be no more than a 4th line center/PK specialist is just ugly. Especially when the deal still has 6 years to run.

Sadly, if you watched him every season like we did, for at least how I watch the game, I always wondered how he'd age, because of his skating.

Carter's one of those guys who's going to be able to play as long as his heart is in it. He's just a truly gifted skater. So this isn't some "I hate former Flyers" deal.

Richards' skating was always...labor-intensive. It was never fluid, never explosive. In my view, it's the biggest reason his decline is rapid. He's not going to be getting many easy points off the rush, off quick setups in the zone.

You can fake it when you're 23-24-25, because you are leaner, tend to be in the best physical condition you're going to be. There's a reason why those are determined to be the peak years.

I'd buy him out. I would. Not because he can't play. But because I truly feel that if he doesn't find a way to stop his decline, it is going to be absolutely brutal -- borderline catastrophic.
- AllInForFlyers

I hear ya, but I always thought he was only able to survive/thrive b/c he was one of those right-place/right-time guys, and he was a freakin' pit bull out there.

I guess the pit bull part could really be affected by wear & tear... and he probably has nothing left to play for anymore. He's won just about everything and he's got a lifetime contract to boot.